This newsletter is a product of the CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project.The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) is a program of Canada’s International Development research Centre, undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada powered through Foreign Affairs, Trade

CIFSRF CARICOMFood Security Project

Use or Mis-use of Pesticides? The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of

Farmers in the CaribbeanThe CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project is promoting increased production and consumption of vegetables in combatting malnutrition. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the vegetables produced do not have high pesticide residues, and are safe to consume.

KAP SurveysProject researchers used Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys to study pesticides usage and pesticide residues in vegetable crops. The resulting information revealed areas of improvement in the project’s ‘farm to fork’ model of food security in the Caribbean.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys collect information on what is known, believed and done in relation to a particular topic. A KAP survey goes beyond simply determining if there is unsafe use of pesticides; it identifies knowledge gaps, beliefs, or behavioural patterns. This more complete understanding facilitates guides action in respect of food security initiatives.

KAP research done in other countries indicates that unsafe use of pesticides is common in developing countries. Project researchers assessed farmers’ state of knowledge, attitudes and current practices regarding the use of pesticides in selected communities in Guyana, Saint Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Objectives of the Laboratory Studies and KAP surveysLaboratory analyses determined the level of pesticide residues in tomatoes from farms in Guyana and Saint Lucia. The survey explored the relationship between the level of pesticide residues in tomatoes from selected farms, and farmers’ knowledge regarding the use of pesticides.

Mature tomato samples were collected from 10 farms in Black Bay and its environs, Saint Lucia; 11 farms in Parika, Guyana;, and 9 farms in Black Bush Polder, Guyana. Samples were collected twice during the harvest period and analyzed for almost fifty active ingredients.

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Farmer in Black Bay, Saint Lucia applying an agrochemical

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Seven hundred and thirty seven farmers were surveyed using KAP, in 15 targeted communities in Guyana, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Country No. farmers sampled

Percentage of sampled population

Guyana 327 44.4

Saint Kitts/Nevis 57 7.7

Saint Lucia 67 9.1Trinidad and Tobago 286 38.8

Total = 737

Findings of the KAP study Some of the findings indicate the following:

93.5% have problem of pest on farms, while 96.9% of those farmers who have problem of pest apply inorganic pesticides; 70% could not suggest an alternative way of controlling pests and 92.9% could not explain the term ‘Integrated Pest Management’; 74.5 % disagreed with the statement: Mixing of pesticides can be dangerous. There is a strong inverse relationship between knowledge and attitude.There is a weak inverse relationship between knowledge and practice, but it is not significant.There is a relatively strong positive relationship between attitude and practice: Attitude positively influences practice.

Findings of the laboratory analysisFor the Saint Lucian samples, pesticide residues were found in 3 of the 10 samples; and then in 4 of the 10 samples. All of the pesticide residues found were below the Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs).For the samples from Parika, Guyana, in both the first and second sets of samples, pesticide residues were found in 2 of the 11 samples. Pesticide residues were above the MRLs in 2 of first set of samples; and in 1 of second set of samples.

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For the samples from Black Bush Polder, Guyana, pesticide residues were found in 4 of the 9 samples; and then in 1 of the 9 samples. Pesticide residues were above the MRLs in 1 sample each in the first and second sets of samples.

Exploration of relationship between level of pesticide residues and farmers’ knowledge

St. Lucia had the highest percentage (36%) of farmers with high level of knowledge relating to pesticides. The pesticide residues levels were not above the MRLs.In Guyana, fewer farmers in Parika (14%) and Black Black Bush Polder (15%) had a higher knowledge of pesticides than Saint Lucia. Notably, in both Black Bush Polder and Parika, where pesticide residues showed higher levels than the MRLs, 24% and 18% of the farmers had a low knowledge of pesticides, compared to 13% in Saint Lucia.

The ConclusionsFarmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to pesticides use vary within and across countries. Knowledge does not necessarily lead to positive or correct attitudes.Knowledge does not necessarily translate into good practice.Good practice increases with the correct attitude.The abuse of pesticides (by farmers whose tomatoes were sampled) is minimal.

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Sample of pesticides used on a farm in Saint Lucia